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| The Queen and a 'sorry' BBC: how best should ma'am deal with reporters? | The Queen and a 'sorry' BBC: how best should ma'am deal with reporters? |
| (4 months later) | |
| Oh dear. There's only one Queen, and – before now – being unique has given her a special status in the brave new world of instant media, quote approval, and cell phone recorders. | Oh dear. There's only one Queen, and – before now – being unique has given her a special status in the brave new world of instant media, quote approval, and cell phone recorders. |
| Until today we've all known that whatever Her Majesty says is off the record. And off the record means she never said it. | Until today we've all known that whatever Her Majesty says is off the record. And off the record means she never said it. |
| Unusual to Americans, this has been a long-accepted tradition in UK, which meant that BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner's disclosure of his conversation with the Queen this morning was both shocking and egregious. Gardner revealed on BBC radio that the Queen had once told him she'd raised concerns with the government about why radical cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri had not been arrested. | Unusual to Americans, this has been a long-accepted tradition in UK, which meant that BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner's disclosure of his conversation with the Queen this morning was both shocking and egregious. Gardner revealed on BBC radio that the Queen had once told him she'd raised concerns with the government about why radical cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri had not been arrested. |
| Both the BBC and Gardner have now apologized to Buckingham Palace for the "breach of confidence", which they "deeply regret." | Both the BBC and Gardner have now apologized to Buckingham Palace for the "breach of confidence", which they "deeply regret." |
| The story hits the US only three days after Seth Meyers gave President Obama some advice on Saturday Night Live about keeping his mouth shut. | The story hits the US only three days after Seth Meyers gave President Obama some advice on Saturday Night Live about keeping his mouth shut. |
| "Take a note from the Queen of England," said Meyers on Saturday. "She's still in power because she's only said 11 words since 1940." | "Take a note from the Queen of England," said Meyers on Saturday. "She's still in power because she's only said 11 words since 1940." |
| Of course, that's not true. Her private reputation is that she's a funny and chatty woman. But the level of trust between her, those who work for her, and those who cover her has been one that's slowly built up over time. Its purpose has been to keep the lid on anything that might damage or embarrass her. | Of course, that's not true. Her private reputation is that she's a funny and chatty woman. But the level of trust between her, those who work for her, and those who cover her has been one that's slowly built up over time. Its purpose has been to keep the lid on anything that might damage or embarrass her. |
| Part of the bargain has been that the Queen never expresses overtly political or controversial views. She is not like her son. You have never heard her criticizing modern architecture, for example. Officially, she loves everything British. And, in return, all Brits are expected to love her. | Part of the bargain has been that the Queen never expresses overtly political or controversial views. She is not like her son. You have never heard her criticizing modern architecture, for example. Officially, she loves everything British. And, in return, all Brits are expected to love her. |
| The Queen doesn't need quote approval, because she is never quoted. That's the Buckingham Palace deal. It's a deal that doesn't extend to her husband, her children, or her grandchildren. | The Queen doesn't need quote approval, because she is never quoted. That's the Buckingham Palace deal. It's a deal that doesn't extend to her husband, her children, or her grandchildren. |
| The problem is that there is no longer any such thing as an iron-clad, off-the-record deal – as Gardner's calculated decision to reveal all shows. His breach raises new points about how the Queen should deal with reporters. As she heads towards the end of her reign here are some things she might consider: | The problem is that there is no longer any such thing as an iron-clad, off-the-record deal – as Gardner's calculated decision to reveal all shows. His breach raises new points about how the Queen should deal with reporters. As she heads towards the end of her reign here are some things she might consider: |
| • Why talk to a security reporter at all? What was Frank Gardner doing at Buckingham Palace? What was she talking to him about? Was it necessary? In fact why not avoid political media all together? | • Why talk to a security reporter at all? What was Frank Gardner doing at Buckingham Palace? What was she talking to him about? Was it necessary? In fact why not avoid political media all together? |
| • It is not a reporter's job to not report. In fact, the opposite is true. Not divulging information is a Faustian pact a journalist strikes with a subject (see quote approval). On the other hand, it is The Queen's job to be discreet. She should pay attention to the old maxim: "If you don't want to read about it, don't do it or say it." | • It is not a reporter's job to not report. In fact, the opposite is true. Not divulging information is a Faustian pact a journalist strikes with a subject (see quote approval). On the other hand, it is The Queen's job to be discreet. She should pay attention to the old maxim: "If you don't want to read about it, don't do it or say it." |
| • All relationships are based on trust. But increasingly media relationships are based on distrust. Today's incident is a prime example of that. The Queen has probably built up strong and trusting relations with several members of the Royal press corps over the years. She should now re-evaluate those. | • All relationships are based on trust. But increasingly media relationships are based on distrust. Today's incident is a prime example of that. The Queen has probably built up strong and trusting relations with several members of the Royal press corps over the years. She should now re-evaluate those. |
| • Still, she has to have a life. In today's world it's not just journalists who put things out there. The Duchess of Cambridge might have been photographed topless by a paparazzi but Prince Harry was snapped naked on someone's cell phone. Anyone who works for the Queen or calls her a friend has the ability to embarrass her. Those around her (particularly those in her pay) should respect her dignity. And give her a break. | • Still, she has to have a life. In today's world it's not just journalists who put things out there. The Duchess of Cambridge might have been photographed topless by a paparazzi but Prince Harry was snapped naked on someone's cell phone. Anyone who works for the Queen or calls her a friend has the ability to embarrass her. Those around her (particularly those in her pay) should respect her dignity. And give her a break. |
| • Would it be the end of the world if the Queen did express an interesting opinion from time to time? With her long history of leadership and her unique perspective I'd love to hear what she has to say on a whole bunch of topics. What does she think about phone hacking, for example? Or her current prime minister? Or the state of the National Health Service? Maybe, instead of one annual Christmas message to the nation, she could sit down and chat publicly with us. Her father overcame a profound stutter to talk directly to his subjects on the radio during the second world war. It's not too late for his daughter to follow his example. | • Would it be the end of the world if the Queen did express an interesting opinion from time to time? With her long history of leadership and her unique perspective I'd love to hear what she has to say on a whole bunch of topics. What does she think about phone hacking, for example? Or her current prime minister? Or the state of the National Health Service? Maybe, instead of one annual Christmas message to the nation, she could sit down and chat publicly with us. Her father overcame a profound stutter to talk directly to his subjects on the radio during the second world war. It's not too late for his daughter to follow his example. |
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